Summer is finally here, and that means planning and preparing for vacations. Everyone can go on a beach and take a picture, but how many can get on the top of a mountain or swim under the sea with sea creatures? If you craving for such mind-blowing experiences, then these are the places you should visit this summer:
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Vietnam
Vietnam has the world’s largest caves Hang Son Doong, which see a lot of adventurers every year turning up in Vietnam to trek to the cave and camp there. Many have termed the experience unforgettable. The Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park was created to protect the karst that has over 300 caves and grottoes. It was included in UNESCO’s world heritage sites’ list due to its geological value, and since this inclusion, tourism has increased in the area.
If you are an adventurous mountain climber, you will have a lot of fun at Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park. The mountains have extreme slopes and rise as high as 1,000 meters. There are also plenty of waterfalls in the park that tourists can reach by boating upwards on the Chay River.
The place also has something for animal and bird lovers as you can take a guided trekking tour and see rare birds and macaque monkeys on your way.
San Gil, Colombia
This small Colombian city offers as many adventures as you can think of. From paragliding to bungee jumping, to skydiving and kayaking, this place has it all. If you don’t want to rest at all on your vacation, then head over to San Gil and take part in all sorts of adventurous activities.
Missing the chance to paraglide over the beautiful Chicamocha Canyon would be a crime. You won’t get the full experience until you jump off a steep cliff and sink down to the bottom of this 6,600 ft canyon.
Cerro Negro, Nicaragua
Did you know that there is a sport called volcano boarding? If you love adventures, then you probably do. It is performed on volcano slopes. You race down an active volcano on a piece of wood with your speed 30mph.
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The Cerro Negro slope in Nicaragua is the most famous destination for volcano boarding. People hike to the top of the 728 meters high black mountain. Once on the top, they sit on their boards like a sled and begin their journey downward. Volcano boarding is more fun and scarier than snow or sand boarding because of the high stakes involved. If you lose control, you will hit the volcanic rocks, and that can lead to a serious injury.
Devil’s Pool, Zambia
Only the true adventure seekers head to the Devil’s Pool. The thought of swimming in this pool can scare even the most ambitious adventure lover because it is located at the edge of the Victoria Falls. If you swim too close to the coastline and aren’t careful, you can fall down from 128 meters height. Although falling into the waterfall isn’t extremely dangerous as the natural stone wall protects the swimmers, but the experience requires a high level of courage and only the bravest adventurers attempt it.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is on many people’s travel bucket list and rightly so. It is situated on the Andes Mountain and is the most famous icon of the Inca Civilization. Many people visit it every year to see the ancient construction. If you want to take an adventure-filled trip to Machu Picchu, then you should trek the Inca Trail to get to it. You will have to trek for four days at an altitude of 4,200 meters to reach your destination.
If you join an organized tour for trekking, you can enjoy other activities too. Paddle-boarding and zip-lining will make this adventurous trekking even more exciting.
Azores, Portugal
Green pastures, high mountains, and year-round mild temperatures describe the Azores. But you won’t find real adventure in the Azores until you reach the São Miguel island. Here you can take part in activities like cliff-diving, rock climbing, and canyoning. There is no shortage of adrenaline-inducing activities you can do in São Miguel. Pick the ones that speak to your nature and have the vacation of your lifetime.
If you need to relax for a while under the sunny sky, you can even go to the beach. There are a number of properly equipped beach resorts that will help you chill out before you begin another exciting adventure.
Safaris, Africa
Africa offers a lot of locations that are perfect for thrill-seekers. The Safari in Africa has always been one of the favorites of every adventure traveler, but if you haven’t been on a Safari yet, it is time to embark on one this year.
From Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve in Uganda to Chobe National Park in Botswana, to Kruger National Park in South Africa and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, there is no shortage of safari locations in Africa. You can see the Great Wildebeest Migration and find rare species relaxing in their natural habitats during these safaris. You will also notice that animals mostly leave us alone when we offer the same courtesy to them.
Longyearbyen, Norway
If you prefer adventures in the snow, then the world’s most northerly town is the perfect place for you. Longyearbyen has many glaciers that are ideal for trekking. You can also go sledding and see polar bears and arctic foxes.
What attracts tourists the most about Longyearbyen is the northern lights. Only a few will get lucky enough to see northern lights in their lifetime as not a lot of people venture that far into the north. But if you want to see the northern lights, you will have to check the forecast beforehand.
If you are planning to have the adventure of a lifetime this summer, then the list mentioned above can help you pick the perfect place. Pick the destination that matches your personal preferences — whether a wildlife safari or an exhilarating mountain climb. Also, keep in mind the needs and preferences of your partner if you are traveling with them. Once the time comes to make your decision, you can be sure that every place mentioned on this list is worth visiting.
